Wonderful article. I’ve been reflecting on this subject myself, and it’s part of what led me to step away from Facebook and find my way to Substack—a quieter place to share my writing.
Your article brought back memories of when I owned an herb shop over 30 years ago and would teach live classes. There was something so meaningful about gathering in person, sharing ideas, and building friendships. I often find myself wishing for that kind of connection again.
I totally understand the need to step away from social and the desire to reconnect in person. I too have had in person businesses and there is magic there ✨
What inspired you to start an herb shop and what led you to close it?
We relocated from New York to the South, and at that time I chose to keep working with my clients by phone—long before Zoom existed. It actually deepened my work in an unexpected way, as I learned to rely more on my intuition to connect with them.
I had just become a new mom with our second child, so reopening a business outside the home didn’t feel right. That season naturally shifted the direction of my work.
After 27 years of working this way, I’ve started to really miss those in-person, one-on-one connections.
I think there are many truly wanting that existence again... There was something about giving our time and liking the hours together... All for the interests we enjoyed. Sharing, gathering, and chatting about it... The Common Theme of Interest.
Yes, Love the "common theme of interest" it's being with like-minded people that makes you feel a part of the web of life, instead of how isolated people feel today.
I'm so understanding your thoughts...you are telling it well...I love Internet I detest the controls of FB IG...I love substack it's so delightful and offers QR codes to dustribute on your own website... I like the facilities here on substack..podcasts audio too...If we went back to NO INTERNET...I would gather a community to create together...I would join other artists and together we could encourage each other to exhibit together...socmore can come to view in person in a space we all contribute too...I'm sure there are organisations doing this already to help lots of many towns promoting local Artists for Artists...Art should be easier than it is to make a living... How can we Do this together?
Amazing timing! I was just asking myself this question. I would make books, a community newspaper, a community board, a show and tell (on a public stage) for storytelling, teaching, plays etc. I am grateful that there is the Internet so that an international and cross cultural reach is possible. Mainly, with or without the Internet, I would write stories. Thank you, Megan.
Thanks, Megan! I think our lives are full of stories, and we share them. We are moved by them, and we learn through them. We heal or we get sick through them. When you asked the question what would we do without the Internet, I thought about the oral tradition our ancestors used to have. In Toronto, I used to see pianos outside during the summer for anyone to play. I see the Little Libraries, why not a bench? A quiet refuge feom the busyness and noise to tell or listen to a story of someone showing an antique phone? Just crazy unorganised ideas 😉
Yes Kim 😍 this is so beautiful!! I couldn’t agree more and have been thinking a lot about all of the stories we have too! Love your tie in with our ancestors and can’t to see how this idea comes into the world! Sounds so creative and inspiring ✨
Megan - I love this so much I've been thinking about it all day! 💖
I'm going to journal on this later because it's such an important question and really inspires me/lights me up! I have been thinking about this a lot recently too - how I want to put myself and my work out there in the world without being reliant on the lottery of social media.
Like you shared, I also feel extremely grateful for access to the internet, and for all of the connection and possibilities it provides. But I've finally disillusioned/de-conditioned/I don't even know what the right term is haha, myself from the idea that online metrics are the only way to successful entrepreneurship.
I love your ideas and resonate with them so much. Your idea of a Substack magazine has made me reflect on what I'd envision my Substack as, and also the 'why' behind my writing. Might be a good time to reflect on my vision for myself in this space. I really appreciate you sharing these curiosities!
One step that I'm taking... I got myself into an in person art tour! It'll be my first time displaying my poetry (books + prints) in person and I am so excited. It makes my business feel more real!
I'm glad I'm not the only one who craves the in-real-life aspects of entrepreneurship! Thank you again for sharing :)
Wonderful article. I’ve been reflecting on this subject myself, and it’s part of what led me to step away from Facebook and find my way to Substack—a quieter place to share my writing.
Your article brought back memories of when I owned an herb shop over 30 years ago and would teach live classes. There was something so meaningful about gathering in person, sharing ideas, and building friendships. I often find myself wishing for that kind of connection again.
Awww thank you Valerie!
I totally understand the need to step away from social and the desire to reconnect in person. I too have had in person businesses and there is magic there ✨
What inspired you to start an herb shop and what led you to close it?
We relocated from New York to the South, and at that time I chose to keep working with my clients by phone—long before Zoom existed. It actually deepened my work in an unexpected way, as I learned to rely more on my intuition to connect with them.
I had just become a new mom with our second child, so reopening a business outside the home didn’t feel right. That season naturally shifted the direction of my work.
After 27 years of working this way, I’ve started to really miss those in-person, one-on-one connections.
So beautiful Valerie! I love hearing the ebbs and flows of our creations alongside motherhood! Thank you for sharing!!
I think there are many truly wanting that existence again... There was something about giving our time and liking the hours together... All for the interests we enjoyed. Sharing, gathering, and chatting about it... The Common Theme of Interest.
Yes, Love the "common theme of interest" it's being with like-minded people that makes you feel a part of the web of life, instead of how isolated people feel today.
Yes!! I totally agree Tracy! Thanks for sharing!
I'm so understanding your thoughts...you are telling it well...I love Internet I detest the controls of FB IG...I love substack it's so delightful and offers QR codes to dustribute on your own website... I like the facilities here on substack..podcasts audio too...If we went back to NO INTERNET...I would gather a community to create together...I would join other artists and together we could encourage each other to exhibit together...socmore can come to view in person in a space we all contribute too...I'm sure there are organisations doing this already to help lots of many towns promoting local Artists for Artists...Art should be easier than it is to make a living... How can we Do this together?
Amazing timing! I was just asking myself this question. I would make books, a community newspaper, a community board, a show and tell (on a public stage) for storytelling, teaching, plays etc. I am grateful that there is the Internet so that an international and cross cultural reach is possible. Mainly, with or without the Internet, I would write stories. Thank you, Megan.
Great minds! I love what you shared- show and tell on a public stage is such a cool idea! I'd love to hear more about that!
And I love how you ended it with "with or without the Internet, I would write stories." So clear! Thanks for sharing Kim!
Thanks, Megan! I think our lives are full of stories, and we share them. We are moved by them, and we learn through them. We heal or we get sick through them. When you asked the question what would we do without the Internet, I thought about the oral tradition our ancestors used to have. In Toronto, I used to see pianos outside during the summer for anyone to play. I see the Little Libraries, why not a bench? A quiet refuge feom the busyness and noise to tell or listen to a story of someone showing an antique phone? Just crazy unorganised ideas 😉
Yes Kim 😍 this is so beautiful!! I couldn’t agree more and have been thinking a lot about all of the stories we have too! Love your tie in with our ancestors and can’t to see how this idea comes into the world! Sounds so creative and inspiring ✨
Megan - I love this so much I've been thinking about it all day! 💖
I'm going to journal on this later because it's such an important question and really inspires me/lights me up! I have been thinking about this a lot recently too - how I want to put myself and my work out there in the world without being reliant on the lottery of social media.
Like you shared, I also feel extremely grateful for access to the internet, and for all of the connection and possibilities it provides. But I've finally disillusioned/de-conditioned/I don't even know what the right term is haha, myself from the idea that online metrics are the only way to successful entrepreneurship.
I love your ideas and resonate with them so much. Your idea of a Substack magazine has made me reflect on what I'd envision my Substack as, and also the 'why' behind my writing. Might be a good time to reflect on my vision for myself in this space. I really appreciate you sharing these curiosities!
One step that I'm taking... I got myself into an in person art tour! It'll be my first time displaying my poetry (books + prints) in person and I am so excited. It makes my business feel more real!
I'm glad I'm not the only one who craves the in-real-life aspects of entrepreneurship! Thank you again for sharing :)
Bailey
Bailey I loved your response! I hope your journaling went well on this topic! If you're open to sharing, I'd love to hear what else came up for you.
Turning my Substack into a magazine has been so amazing- I highly recommend. If you need inspo here is what I do: https://tuningin.substack.com/t/the-slow-living-mom-creatives-magazine
And here is how I create it: https://tuningin.substack.com/p/how-to-print-your-substack-as-a-magazine
Happy Creating!
You bring fresh ideas of things to create !!
Awww thank you 🥰🥰🥰